Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 9:18 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 9:18 p.m.

WILMINGTON | The Cape Fear River Watch invites the community to its annual celebration of the history, plants, animals and water quality of Greenfield Lake.

On Saturday, May 4, free festivities will include live alligators, snakes and turtles, face painting, casting clinics, fish identification presentations about Greenfield Lake, boat displays and more, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nature tours, which last just under an hour, will cost $3 per person or $5 per family. Canoe or paddle boat rides will be available, and with the rental of a boat between 9 and 11 a.m., proceeds will go to the CFRW Education Committee to help benefit events like LakeFest and StriperFest. For more information, visit www.capefearriverwatch.org.

Carolina Beach man named sexiest vegan finalist

CAROLINA BEACH | People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is holding a Sexiest Vegan Next Door contest, and Edward Bauer, who grew up in Carolina Beach, could take home the grand prize.

The 33 year-old has beaten out more than 100 other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 male contestants to advance to the final round.

One female and one male will be awarded, and will receive a free vacation for two to Maui, courtesy of HumaneTrip.com. Although the annual contest dates to 2004, this is the first year that the rules dictate that participants must be vegan.

“Going vegan can help make you feel better on the inside, look better on the outside, and save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets,” says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. “On average, vegans are fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters are, and that makes them sexier, too.”

Bauer went vegan during his junior year at Hoggard High School. He now owns and operates PlantFit Training Studio, a gym that encourages members to go vegan. He has won one bodybuilding competition and competed in five CrossFit competitions.

“My favorite part about being vegan is knowing that I live for something much greater than myself,” says Bauer. “I show others that you can have the body you want and live in harmony with your ethics.”

Voting for the finalists is open to the public and will end at noon May 3. PETA will select winners based on several factors, including vote count.

To cast a vote, visit http://features.peta.org/sexiest-vegan-next-door. Winners will be notified and announced by May 9.

‘Revolution’ star to speak at fundraiser

WILMINGTON | Coastal Horizons Center will host its annual fundraising luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Country Club of Landfall. The nonprofit organization addresses needs in social services, crisis response, mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice.

Giancarlo Esposito, an actor starring in NBC’s “Revolution” and nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” will be the speaker. He will share personal insights about the impact of mental illness in his family.

Contributions of at least $50 are requested to attend this event, and reservations can be made by contacting Farah Boyce at 790-0187 or fboyce@coastalhorizons.org.

Planetarium to host Wine Fest 2013

SUNSET BEACH | Ingram Planetarium will host the Wine Fest 2013 fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. April 27. Guests will be able to sample wines from a local distributor, munch on treats provided by local restaurants, and bid on live and silent auction items.

All proceeds will benefit the museum and planetarium. Tickets are $50 per person and are available in advance, or at the door at the event. The planetarium is at 7625 High Market St.

Run to benefit Boys & Girls Homes

SHALLOTTE | The Calabash Lions Club invites the community to take part in a 40-mile car and motorcycle open ride to benefit the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.

Registration will begin at the Beach House Harley Davidson in Shallotte at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, and kickstands will be up at 11 a.m. The cost is $15 per rider and $10 per passenger, and the first 100 registrants will receive a free T-shirt.

This rain-or-shine event will be a 40-mile run to the Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw. Vehicles will be escorted by the Brunswick and Columbus county sheriff departments.

Upon arrival at the home, lunch will be served for riders to enjoy with the children, and there will be door prizes and a “Favorite Ride” award chosen by the girls and boys.

For more information, call Sterling Page at 209-1801.

Email your New Hanover County news items to New.Hanover@StarNewsOnline.com. They must be received two weeks before the event date.

<p class="bold allcaps">Cape Fear River Watch presents Lakefest</p>
<p>WILMINGTON | The <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic91"><b>Cape Fear River</b></a> Watch invites the community to its annual celebration of the history, plants, animals and water quality of <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic64"><b>Greenfield Lake</b></a>. </p><p>On Saturday, May 4, free festivities will include live alligators, snakes and turtles, face painting, casting clinics, fish identification presentations about Greenfield Lake, boat displays and more, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. </p><p>Nature tours, which last just under an hour, will cost $3 per person or $5 per family. Canoe or paddle boat rides will be available, and with the rental of a boat between 9 and 11 a.m., proceeds will go to the CFRW Education Committee to help benefit events like LakeFest and StriperFest. For more information, visit www.capefearriverwatch.org.</p><h3>Carolina Beach man named sexiest vegan finalist</h3>
<p>CAROLINA BEACH | People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is holding a Sexiest Vegan Next Door contest, and Edward Bauer, who grew up in Carolina Beach, could take home the grand prize. </p><p>The 33 year-old has beaten out more than 100 other entrants from across the U.S. to become one of 10 male contestants to advance to the final round. </p><p>One female and one male will be awarded, and will receive a free vacation for two to Maui, courtesy of HumaneTrip.com. Although the annual contest dates to 2004, this is the first year that the rules dictate that participants must be vegan.</p><p>“Going vegan can help make you feel better on the inside, look better on the outside, and save more than 100 animals a year from the violence of factory farms, slaughterhouses, and fishing nets,” says PETA Associate Director of Campaigns Lindsay Rajt. “On average, vegans are fitter and trimmer than meat-eaters are, and that makes them sexier, too.”</p><p>Bauer went vegan during his junior year at Hoggard High School. He now owns and operates PlantFit Training Studio, a gym that encourages members to go vegan. He has won one bodybuilding competition and competed in five CrossFit competitions. </p><p>“My favorite part about being vegan is knowing that I live for something much greater than myself,” says Bauer. “I show others that you can have the body you want and live in harmony with your ethics.”</p><p>Voting for the finalists is open to the public and will end at noon May 3. PETA will select winners based on several factors, including vote count. </p><p>To cast a vote, visit http://features.peta.org/sexiest-vegan-next-door. Winners will be notified and announced by May 9.</p><h3>'Revolution' star to speak at fundraiser</h3>
<p>WILMINGTON | Coastal Horizons Center will host its annual fundraising luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Country Club of Landfall. The nonprofit organization addresses needs in social services, crisis response, mental health, substance abuse and criminal justice. </p><p>Giancarlo Esposito, an actor starring in NBC's “Revolution” and nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in AMC's “Breaking Bad,” will be the speaker. He will share personal insights about the impact of mental illness in his family.</p><p>Contributions of at least $50 are requested to attend this event, and reservations can be made by contacting Farah Boyce at 790-0187 or fboyce@coastalhorizons.org.</p><h3>Planetarium to host Wine Fest 2013</h3>
<p>SUNSET BEACH | Ingram Planetarium will host the Wine Fest 2013 fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. April 27. Guests will be able to sample wines from a local distributor, munch on treats provided by local restaurants, and bid on live and silent auction items. </p><p>All proceeds will benefit the museum and planetarium. Tickets are $50 per person and are available in advance, or at the door at the event. The planetarium is at 7625 High Market St.</p><h3>Run to benefit Boys & Girls Homes</h3>
<p>SHALLOTTE | The Calabash Lions Club invites the community to take part in a 40-mile car and motorcycle open ride to benefit the Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina. </p><p>Registration will begin at the Beach House Harley Davidson in Shallotte at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, and kickstands will be up at 11 a.m. The cost is $15 per rider and $10 per passenger, and the first 100 registrants will receive a free T-shirt. </p><p>This rain-or-shine event will be a 40-mile run to the Boys & Girls Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw. Vehicles will be escorted by the Brunswick and Columbus county sheriff departments. </p><p>Upon arrival at the home, lunch will be served for riders to enjoy with the children, and there will be door prizes and a “Favorite Ride” award chosen by the girls and boys. </p><p>For more information, call Sterling Page at 209-1801.</p><p>Email your New Hanover County news items to New.Hanover@StarNewsOnline.com. They must be received two weeks before the event date.</p>